Sheep-shearing table



Nov. 22, 1960 J. M. MONSON SHEEP-SHEARING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1958 INVENTOR: JOHN M. MONSON ATT'YS Nov. 22, 1960 J. M. MONSON 2,960,965

SI-IEEP-SI-IEARING TABLE Filed July 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR! JOHN M-MONSON YJW ATT'YS United States Patent SHEEP-SHEARING TABLE John M. Morison, Center-ville, S. Bait.

Filed July 16, 1958, Ser. No. 748,855

9 Claims. (Cl. 119103) This invention relates to tables for shearing sheep.

Originally, the shearing of sheep was effected by throwing the sheep on the ground and holding it in various positions until the entire area of the wool had been removed.

In more recent years various types of equipment have been devised to shackle a sheep prostrate on a table to more readily enable the shearer to have better access to all parts of the sheeps body. Most, if not all, of such equipment has limitations of one kind or another to a facile shearing operation.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a sheep-shearing table having improved shackles for retaining the sheep in the most convenient and adjustable position for shearing all parts of the body; to provide an improved sheep-shearing table and shackles of this kind which make shearing extremely facile by a single operation; to provide an improved mounting of the table to permit its swinging between nearly-vertical and horizontal positions for a quick and easy initial placing of the sheep for shearing and subsequent discharge of the sheep after shearing; and to provide an improved table and shackles of this kind which are simple in construction, hence economical to manufacture, and as a unit conveniently transportable from place to place.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of this improved table showing a sheep in position thereon ready for shearing;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the table angulated in position for receiving or discharging a sheep;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of one of the shackles by which the sheep is held in position on the table;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified form of shackle; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded view of the trunnion support of the table on the frame.

The essential concept of this invention involves a rectangular-shaped platform, slightly arcuate in cross-section and mounting a butt-plate at one end, swingable on a supporting frame between nearly vertically-inclined and horizontal positions, the platform mounting spaced, upright posts along the lateral edges to the upper ends of which posts are secured cords with snap-lock hooks at the free ends for hooking into any of a vertical series of post eyelets after the respective cords have been wrapped around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the table.

A sheep-shearing table embodying the foregoing concept comprises a support frame 7, swingably mounting a platform 8 on which are mounted a set of shackles 9, for holding a sheep adjustably prostrate on the platform 8, and a table-latching means 10 for holding the platform in a vertically-inclined position to receive and release a sheep.

The supporting frame 7 here is shown formed of angle bars assembled to provide a base 11, a pair of platformmounting brackets 12 and a platform-limiting bracket 13.

The base-frame 11 is of open rectangular form made of sections of conventional angle bars welded or other- 2,9593% Patented Nov. 22, 1960 wise bonded at their ends for and adapted to rest on a horizontal surface. Such a surface may be the ground out-of-doors or the floor within a shelter.

The brackets 12- here are shown formed of sections of angle bar in inverted V-relationship. They are bonded at the apexes to sections of tubing 14 and at their free ends are secured to the side bars of the frame base 11, adjacent one end thereof with the sections of tubing 14 in transverse axial alinement to serve as bearings for the trunnions on the platform 8.

The bracket 13 here is shown also formed of Sections of angle bar in inverted U-relationship. The ends of the parallel Sections are secured to the opposite ends of the side bars of the frame base ll to dispose the transverse section 17 of the bracket 13 above the frame base at practically the same height as the tube bearings 14. So formed and positioned, the bracket 13 serves as a limiting support for the end of the platform 8 opposite its connection to the brackets 12.

The platform 8 here is shown as a metal plate 18 of rectangular shape slightly arcuate in transverse crosssection. The plate 18 is secured to a pair of angle bars 19 bonded along the under side inwardly adjacent the lateral edges. The trunnions 16 are bonded to the respective angle bars 19 on the outer faces thereof to seat in the tube bearings 14. The positioning of the trunnions i5 is inwardly from the one end of 'the plate 11 a distance a bit greater than the height of the brackets 12 above the frame base 7. This limits the swing of the platform 8 upwardly to an inclined position as shown in Fig. 2.

Adjacently inward from this one end of the plate 18 is fixed a butt-plate 26 disposed transversely and normal to the plane of the plate/18. The obvious functioning of this butt-plate 20 will be made explicit presently.

The shackles 9, of which three are shown, each comprises a post 21 formed with a vertical series of eyelets 22 and attaching a cord 23 to the free end of which is secured a conventional snap-lock hook 24.

As here shown, the posts 21 are sections of pipe bent at one end to form transverse offsets 26 whereby the posts are secured to the respective plate angle bars 19 by winged-nut-bolts 27 (see Figs. 3 and 4). The pipes 21 extend through holes 39 in the edges of the plate 18 to further insure the rigidity of the posts on the platform 8.

The eyelets 22 are formed in a strip 28 (Fig. 3) bonded to each post 21, vertically thereof, adjacently above the plate 18.

The cords 23 are lengths of conventional rope somewhat longer than the height of the posts 21 above the plate 18. ()ne end of each cord 23 is permanently secured to the upper end of a post 21. The other end of each cord 23 has attached a snap-lock book 24.

In the modified form of shackle cord 23 (Fig. 4) an extension spring 34 is inserted between the end of the cord 23 and the snap-lock hook 24.

The platform latching member 10 comprises a bar 29 hinged at 31 to one of the brackets 12 and biased by a spring 32 to engage a shoulder 33 with the lower transverse end of the platform 17, thereby holding the platform 5 in its inclined position for loading or unloading a sheep. A foot pad 35 is secured at the outer end of the bar 29.

This improved sheep-shearing table is used in the following manner:

The platform 8 is swung nt it early-vertically-inclined position as shown in Fig. 2. A sheep then is backed up toward the inclined platform until the butt of the sheep and/or its hind legs impinge against the Plate 18 and/or the butt-plate 20. Taking the front legs of the sheep it is lifted up to set its back against the inclined platform and be seated against the butt-plate 20. In such 3 position, the cord 23 of the top shackle 9 may be looped once around the left front leg (to the right of the operator) and the snap-lock hook, 24 inserted into the desired eyelet 22 on the post 21. Immediately, in succession, the cords, 23'for the two other shackles 9 are looped around the hind legs of the sheep and the snap-lock hooks 24 inserted into suitable eyelets 22 on the respective posts'21. The sheep is now immobilized ready for shearmg. Thereupon the foot pad 35 is stepped on to release the shoulder 33 and permit the platform 8 to be pressed down into a horizontal position.

The shearing is begun by the operator standing at the side of the platform 8 which has the one shackle 9. With the shears in the right hand the operator holds the free legand shears down this leg, then along the belly all the way back to the crotch. Following this the front of the neck is sheared, then the head and down the remainder of the belly. The adjacent rear leg is then freed from the shackle 9 and the sheep is turned over on its side away from the operator to permit shearing of the adjacent part of the upper side around to the center of the back. This portion of the wool being removed the shackle 9 is again attached to the adjacent rear leg and the shackle 9 to the front leg is removed. This permits turning the sheep over on its side toward the operator. By placing the sheeps head between his legs the operator has the sheep in complete control. Moreover, both hands are free so that one may be used to keep the skin tight and thus make the shearing easier. With the sheep in this position the shearing is advanced from the head down toward the buttock. With the sheeps head still held between the operators legs, the far rear shackle 9 is removed from that rear leg so that the sheep may be further turned over toward the operator to complete the shearing of the wool from the back of the animal.

Two of the shackles 9 being removed, as the shearing operation is completed, it is necessary only to re-release the adjacent shackle 9 whereon the sheep may be positioned on its back'and the platform tipped up so that the sheep will be discharged out onto its feet in front of thetable ready to scamper away.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim: V

1. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a bearing positioned with its axis transverse of and vertically above the plane of the base of the frame whereon it rests on a horizontal surface, a platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from one end .pivotally supporting the platform on the bearing for swinging in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform adjacent the lateral edges thereof inwardly from the ends, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform.

2. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a hearing positioned with its axis transverse of and vertically above the plane of the base of the frame whereon it rests on a horizontal surface, a platform, a

butt-plate secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from the one end pivotally supporting the'platform on the bearing for swinging in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform adjacent the lateral edges thereof inwardly from the ends, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform.

3. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a bearing positioned on the frame at one end thereof with its axis transverse of and vertically above the plane of the base of the frame whereon it rests on a horizontal surface, a platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from one end a distance greater than the height of the bearing above the base of the supporting frame and pivotally supporting the platform on the bearing to permit swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardl inclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform at opposite sides thereof intermediate the one end and the bearing means, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform.

4. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a bearing positioned on the frame at one end thereof with its axis transverse of and vertically above the plane. of the base of the frame whereon it rests on a horizontal surface, a platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from one end a distance greater than the height of the bearing above the base of the supporting frame and pivotally supporting the platform on the bearing to permit swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardlyinclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform at opposite sides thereof intermediate the one end and the bearing means, a third post secured in fixed position to the platform at one side thereof inwardly from the other end thereof, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform.

5. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a bearing positioned on the frame at one end thereof with its axis transverse of and vertically above the plane of the base of the frame whereon it rests on a horizontal surface, a platform, a butt-plate secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from the one end a distance greater than the height of the bearing above the base of the supporting frame and pivotally supporting the platform on the bearing to permit swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardly-inclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform intermediate the butt-plate and the bearing means, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform. 9 V

. 6. A sheep-shearing table comprising, a supporting frame, a bearing positioned on the frame at one end thereof with its axis transverse of the platform vertically secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means on the platform disposed transversely thereof inwardly from the one end a distance greater than the height of the bearing above the base of the supporting frame and pivotally supporting the platform on the bearing to permit swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardlyinclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the platform intermediate the buttplate and the bearing means, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each posts, a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform, and a foot-retractable latch-member hinged to the frame and normally biased to hold the platform in its upwardly-inclined position.

7. A sheep-shearing table comprising, an open rectangularshaped angle-bar base frame for positioning on a horizontal surface, upwardly-disposed brackets at one end of the frame mounting bearings, a rectangularshaped metal plate slightly arcuate in cross section constituting a platform, a butt-plate secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means secured to the under face of the platform transversely inward from the one end a distance greater than the height of the bracket, the means journalling the platform on the bracket bearings to permit for swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardly-inclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the sides of the platform intermediate the butt-plate and the bearing means, a third post secured to one edge of the platform adjacent the opposite end thereof, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, and a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform.

8. A sheep-shearing table comprising, an open rectangular-shaped angle-bar base frame for positioning on a horizontal surface, upwardly-disposed brackets at one end of the frame mounting bearings, a rectangularshaped metal plate slightly arcuate in cross section constituting a platform, a butt-plate secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means secured to the under face of the platform transversely inward from the one end a distance greater than the height of the bracket, the means journalling the platform on the bracket hearings to permit for swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardly-inclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the sides of the platform intermediate the butt-plate and the bearing means, a third post secured in fixed position to one edge of the platform adjacent the opposite end thereof, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform, and a foot-retractable latch member hinged to one of the brackets and normally biased to hold the platform in its upwardly-inclined position.

9. A sheep-shearing table comprising, an open rectangular-shaped angle-bar base frame for positioning on a horizontal surface, upwardly-disposed brackets at one end of the frame mounting bearings, a rectangularshaped metal plate slightly arcuate in cross section constituting a platform, a butt-plate secured to the platform transversely adjacent one end and normal to the plane of the platform, means secured to the under face of the platform transversely inward from the one end a distance greater than the height of the bracket, the means journalling the platform on the bracket bearings to permit for swinging of the platform in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis transverse of the platform between upwardlydnclined and horizontal positions, upright posts secured in fixed position to the sides of the platform intermediate the butt-plate and the bearing means, a third post secured in fixed position to one edge of the platform adjacent the opposite end thereof, each of the posts having a vertical series of eyelets, a cord of greater length than the posts secured at one end to each post, a hook secured to the other end of each cord and adapted to catch in one of the eyelets of the respective post after a wrap around the adjacent leg of a sheep prostrate on the platform, a foot retractable latch member hinged to one of the brackets and normally biased to hold the platform in its upwardly-inclined position, and a vertically-disposed other bracket on the base frame for supporting the other end of the platform to maintain it in horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,055,953 Tanabe Mar. 11, 1913 2,279,012 Packanian Apr. 7, 1942 2,458,582 Flohr Jan. 11, 1949 2,789,538 Merritt Apr. 23, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 100,408 Australia Mar. 1, 1937 

